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Roster

2016Men'sVarsityFootball

Before Dordt…played for St. Michael’s Catholic Academy (Texas)…earned first-team all-district honors on both offense and defense and was a second-team all-state selection at cornerback.

2

EJ Hill

5-5

160

Running Back

JR

Duluth, Georgia

2015…played in five games…ran for 21 yards on seven carries.

Before Dordt… played defensive back and running back at Duluth High School (Georgia)… lettered twice in football and three times in track and field….was a three-time academic honor roll member and earned a scholar-athlete award.

3

Taylor Miedema

5-10

160

Wide Receiver

FR

Sheldon, Iowa

Before Dordt…played for Western Christian (Iowa)…caught 42 passes for 618 yards last season in helping Western to a Class 2A State Runner-Up finish…caught six passes for touchdowns and returned 16 punts, two of them for touchdowns and had a 14.5 yards per return average…handled kick return duties and had a 25.1 yards per return average and returned one kick for a touchdown…played defense and had two interceptions and was in on 22 solo tackles…had 42 catches for 624 yards and seven touchdowns in 2014...holds school records for career interceptions, receiving yards, and receiving yards in a game (197).

4

Jalen Placide

5-7

170

Defensive Back

FR

Oakland, California

Before Dordt…attended De Anza High School (California)…ran for over 1,000 yards and scored three touchdowns…had two interceptions and was in on 42 tackles while playing cornerback.

2014…played in ten game…made 30 solo tackles and was in on 58 total stops…had a sack against Dakota State and made 13 tackles against Doane on November 1.

Before Dordt… joins the Defenders after a prep career at Creekview High School (Texas)…earned all-district honorable mention honors at linebacker twice and was an academic all-state selection…had 59 tackles for loss and 107 total tackles while playing linebacker…was the team defensive mvp and also was a member of the National Honor Society.

6

Taylan Seaman

6-1

190

Wide Receiver

JR

Big Bear City, California

2015… played in 11 games…had a season high 88 yards rushing against Hastings…passed for 471 yards and ran for 220…has run for 629 career yards which is seventh all-time…has run for nine touchdowns which is third all-time…has 73 career completed passes which is third all-time…has thrown or 1,134 career yards which is second all-time…

2014…played in ten games at quarterback for Dordt College…ran for 409 yards on 132 carries and had five rushing touchdowns…passed for 663 yards with 39 completions…ran for 153 yards against Trinity Bible on October 11 and passed for 216 yards against Nebraska Wesleyan on October 18.

Before Dordt…was picked league mvp for Big Bear High School (California) as a senior and was picked as the All-CIF utility player…was an all-league offensive player and helped Big Bear to back-to-back league championships…qualified for the playoff quarterfinals in 2012 and the semifinals in 2013.

7

Andre Williams

5-6

175

Slot

JR

San Diego, California

2015…earned all-GPAC honorable mention honors…played in ten games and ran for 198 yards on 39 carries…had a season high 48 yards on five carries against Briar Cliff on September 26.

2014…played in five games…had 13 rushes for 41 yards…ran for 31 yards on nine carries against Hastingss on November 8.

Before Dordt…most recently attended Crossmont College…ran for 650 yards in his senior season at Madison High School (California)…scored six touchdowns and won the Coaches’ Hard Work Award.

8

Wyatt Mims

5-10

165

Defensive Back

FR

Lockeford, California

Before Dordt…graduated from Lodi (California)…had 65 solo tackles the last two seasons with 20 assisted stops and he was in on 20 quarterback sacks…played primarily safety on defense and slot/receiver on offense.

9

Dalton Helmkamp

6-1

210

Defensive Line

SO

Carroll, Iowa

2015…played in nine games…totaled seven solo tackles with three assisted stops and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Before Dordt…played for Carroll (Iowa)…totaled 52 tackles and 15 for loss while claiming first-team all-district honors…was a second-team all-Western Iowa pick and had 10 quarterback sacks and forced two fumbles…helped Carroll to a state quarterfinal round appearance.

10

Matt Benardis

5-11

175

Quarterback

FR

Antelope Hills, Wyoming

Before Dordt…attended Natrona County High School (Wyoming)…played a variety of offensive and defensive positions and handled punt and kick returns…averaged 205 yards per game and accumulated 2,262 total yards last season and accounted for 13 touchdowns…earned second-team all-state honors at quarterback along with first-team all-conference honors...was his team’s captain and mvp and holds the school record for completions in a season…was on a state championship team in 2014 and a state semifinalist team in 2015.

11

Reggie Washington

5-10

160

Quarterback

SO

Aberdeen, Maryland

2015…played in eight games…ran for 87 yards against Midland on October 24…ran for 238 yards on 41 carries.

Before Dordt…played for Aberdeen (Maryland) high School…passed for 2,140 yards and 22 touchdowns…ran for five touchdowns and helped Aberdeen to a conference title…earned all-conference and all-county honors and took honorable mention all-state accolades.

12

Danial White

6-0

205

Quarterback

SO

Ashland, Oregon

2015…played in two games.

Before Dordt…played football at Ashland High School (Oregon)…ran for 2,032 yards and 38 touchdowns during his career and passed for 4,776 yards and 44 touchdowns…earned Class 5A First-Team All-State honors in 2013…attended Concordia-Montreal during the 2014-15 school year.

13

Malieck Lee

5-8

195

Slot

JR

Colorado Springs, Colorado

2014…played in two games for Dordt and had a pair of tackles.

14

Brock Lamle

6-2

170

Quarterback

SO

Blanchard, Oklahoma

Before Dordt…attended and played for Saddleback College during the 2015 season…graduated from Blanchard High School (Oklahoma) and earned district all-star honors…passed for nearly 2,500 yards with 30 touchdowns and completed nearly 60 percent of his pass attempts.

15

Gerrit Wybenga

6-1

185

Defensive Back

SR

Burley, Idaho

2015…played in ten games…had 16 solo and eight assisted tackles

2014…played in seven games…recorded eight solo tackles and nine assisted stops…was in on five tackles against Hastings on November 8.

2013…played in five games.

Before Dordt… earned all-conference honors from the Canyon Conference in 2012 while playing running back and linebacker for Oakley High School (Idaho).

16

Corey Patulea

5-8

185

Slot

SO

Duncanville, Texas

Before Dordt…played linebacker and quarterback for Seagoville (Texas)…earned all-district honors at quarterback and claimed the same honor twice at linebacker…earned academic all-state honors.

17

Curtis Emery

5-11

300

Defensive Line

SR

Alvin, Texas

2015…played in nine games and had 14 total tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss…

2014…played in 10 games…was in on 17 tackles and had 4.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks…forced one fumble.

2013…played in ten games for the Defenders…totaled 17 tackles and was credited with a quarterback sack…had four tackles against Dakota State on September 7.

Before Dordt… attended Alvin (Texas) High School…had 60 solo tackles and 2.5 quarterback sacks in 2012 while playing nose guard…earned honorable mention honors from the district and won his team’s leadership award.

Before Dordt…played for Gilbert Christian (Arizona)…passed for 1,485 yards in seven games in 2014…passed for 2,402 yards in 2013 and completed 57 percent of his passes…was a 2013 all-division first-team honoree and earned honorable mention honors in 2014.

20

Levi Schoonhoven

6-0

195

Running Back

FR

Sheldon, Iowa

Before Dordt…played for Unity Christian High School (Iowa)…played fullback and linebacker for the Knights…ran for over 1,300 yards during his career and had had 115 career tackles…was in on a Unity single season record 75.5 tackles in 2014...was twice named all-district first-team at running back in 2014 and 2015.

21

Tanner Conover

5-8

155

Slot

SO

Gilbert, Arizona

Before Dordt…played for Gilbert Christian (Arizona)…claimed Division III-VI All-State honors and was first-team all-academic honoree…caught passes for 607 yards and ran for 796 yards and 13 touchdowns…returned 20 kicks during his career for 852 yards and was an all-division pick for kick returning.

22

Justin Banks

5-10

170

Defensive Back

SO

Prince George's Island, Maryland

2015…played in 11 games…had 24 solo tackles and four assists.

Before Dordt…graduate of From the Heart Christian (Maryland)…was a part of two conference title teams.

23

Justin Carter

6-1

210

Running Back

SO

Grand Prairie, Texas

Before Dordt… graduate of Temple Christian School (Texas)…ran for 1,738 yards on 167 rushes in 2014 and scored 28 touchdowns…rushed for 1,583 yards on 233 carries and scored 15 touchdowns in 2013...helped Temple Christian win back-to-back district championships in 2013 and 2014 and a state semifinalist berth in 2014…claimed all-district honors in 2013 and 2014 and was the overall mvp of the district in 2014…claimed offensive mvp honors from the district in 2013…was a first-team all-state pick in 2014.

24

Bryce Lidtka

5-10

190

Running Back

JR

Grinnell, Iowa

2015…ran for 528 yards which is the fifth all-time at Dordt College…had 94 carries in eight games…returned five kicks for 75 yards…had 63 return yards against Northwestern on September 12 and ran for 102 yards on 13 carries in that same game.

Before Dordt…ran for 3,139 yards while playing for Grinnell (Iowa)…had 1,221 yards on 172 carries in 2013…scored 54 touchdowns during his career and helped Grinnell to a state semifinal appearance in 2012 and a quarterfinal berth in 2013…two-time all-conference honoree and claimed all-state honors as well…claimed academic all-conference honors twice.

25

Keithen Drury

5-8

190

Slot

SO

Blue Hill, Nebraska

2015…played in nine games…had eight carries for 85 yards…was a regular on special teams and had nine tackles.

Before Dordt…gained 4,674 yards of all-purpose offense while playing for Blue Hill (Nebraska)…scored 43 touchdowns and averaged 8.5 yards per rushing attempt…first-team all-state pick in 2014 and was an all-district honors in 2013 and 2014…played in the Sertoma 8-Man All-Star Game.

Before Dordt…earned first-team all-state honors at defensive back while competing for Kuna (Idaho) High School…had three interceptions as a senior and averaged six tackles per game.

27

Joey Lovetere

6-2

175

Defensive Back

JR

San Diego, California

2015…played in 11 games with 24 solo tackles and nine assisted stops…had an interception.

2014…played in three games…had five solo tackles and five assisted stops against Doane on November 1.

Before Dordt…graduated Kennedy High School (California) where played wide receiver and defensive back and helped them to a CIF qualification and first-team all-league honors.

28

Ryan Cisneros

5-10

180

Safety

JR

Baldwin Park, California

No details available.

29

Tanner Van Hofwegen

6-1

185

Linebacker

FR

Tolleson, Arizona

Before Dordt…attended Northwest Christian High School (Arizona)…was a part of 2015 team that was the Arizona D4 state runner-up.

30

Nick Payton

5-9

205

Linebacker

SR

Waterloo, Iowa

2015…played in seven games…had ten solo tackles and six assisted stops.2014…played in eight games for the Defenders…was in on 19 tackles and recovered one fumble.

2013...played in six games for the Defenders.

Before Dordt… earned all-MVC and all-Metro honorable mention honors in 2012 while totaling 62 tackles with two quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries at Waterloo West High School (Iowa)… helped Waterloo West to a 2012 state playoff appearance.

31

David Aldeman

5-8

190

Linebacker

SR

Iowa City, Iowa

2013…appeared in two games.

Before Dordt… graduated Mid-Prairie (Iowa) High School…played fullback, linebacker and offensive line during his career…was in on 74 tackles in 2012 and had two quarterback sacks with eight tackles for loss while earning all-district second-team honors at linebacker…had 52 tackles as a junior and was an honorable mention selection in the district.

32

Webby Saintcy

5-10

155

Cornerback

FR

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Before Dordt…graduated from Stone Ridge Christian High School (California…was in on 207 tackles last season with three interceptions and was picked as a first-team all-league performer at both linebacker and fullback…helped Stone Ridge Christian to back to back league championships in 2014 and 2015 and a state record for most consecutive shutouts.

33

Julius Buchanan

6-0

220

Linebacker

FR

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Before Dordt…played for King High School (Wisconsin)…totaled 107 tackles and earned first-team all-conference honors along with honorable mention all-area honors…twice earned all-conference accolades and was his conference’s defensive player of the year in 2015.

34

Gilbert Jimenez

5-9

165

Kicker

SO

Carrollton, Texas

Before Dordt…graduated Newman Smith (Texas) High School…was a second-team all-district pick in 2014…made 6-8 field goal attempts and was perfect on his point after tries…earned second-team academic all-state honors.

35

Casey Byker

6-0

185

Defensive Back, Punter

SO

Hudsonville, Michigan

2015…played in 11 games…made 32 solo tackles and had 14 assisted stops and was in on five tackles for loss…had an interception and recovered a fumble.

Before Dordt…earned all-conference honors while playing for Unity Christian (Michigan)…voted team mvp and helped Unity to its first ever playoff victory.

36

Arie Hoekstra

6-2

180

Defensive Back

JR

Sioux Center, Iowa

2015…played in ten games…had 30 solo tackles and 13 assisted stops and had one interception.

2014…played in six games…had a pair of tackles against Trinity Bible on October 11.

Before Dordt… played quarterback and defensive back for Unity Christian High School (Iowa)…was limited to five games played during his senior campaign due to injury…passed for 571 yards with eight touchdowns in those five games and ran for a touchdown…had 991 career passing yards with 13 touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns…named Academic All-District in 2013.

37

Antonio Perea

5-8

170

Cornerback

SR

Sacramento, California

2013…played in one game for Dordt College.

Before Dordt… was in on 46 solo tackles last season along with 79 assisted stops, five forced fumbles, one interception and three pass break ups for River City High School (California).

38

Kenneth Lewis

5-9

165

Running Back

SR

San Tan Valley, Arizona

2015…played in nine games…ran for 120 yards on 10 carries…ran for 65 yards and a touchdown against Trinity Bible on October 10…had three kick returns for 62 yards and had 46 return yards against Concordia on October 3…suffered a serious leg injury in spring football.

2013…played in five games…ran for 74 yards on 17 carries.

Before Dordt…earned All-CUSD Football honors in 2012 and was an All-Southern Region second-team pick at Perry High School (Arizona).

39

Joey Flannery

5-11

165

Kicker

FR

Colorado Springs, Colorado

No details available.

40

Derek Dotinga

6-0

190

Running Back

FR

Oakdale, California

Before Dordt…attended Ripon Christian High School (California)…ran for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns and had 196 receiving yards while earning second-team all-Southern League honors at running back…had 74 tackles while playing linebacker.

41

Luke DeSautel

5-10

190

Linebacker

FR

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Before Dordt…attended Sioux Falls Christian High School (South Dakota)…played linebacker and was on the offensive line for the Chargers as he helped Sioux Falls Christian to a Big East Conference Championship…led the Chargers in tackles and earned All-Dak 12 and All-Big East honors while also taking academic all-state accolades.

42

Brett Gaines

6-0

215

Kicker

SO

Wood River, Illinois

Before Dordt…kicked and punted for East Alton-Wood River (Illinois).

43

Sam Phiriyakulkit

5-11

195

Defensive Back

FR

Nampa, Idaho

Before Dordt…was a first-team all-conference pick in the WIC while competing for Nampa Christian (Idaho)...totaled 25 solo tackles and 23 assisted stops with five quarterback sacks while helping Nampa Christian to a third place finish in Class 2A.

44

Vanoy Harris

5-11

240

Linebacker

SR

Arlington, Texas

2015…suffered season ending injury in season opener with Dakota State.

2014…played in nine games…recorded 47 solo tackles and 48 assisted stops…had 12 tackles for loss and one quarterback sack…had 11 solo and 11 assisted tackles against Briar Cliff on September 27…recorded three tackles for loss against Concordia on October 4….claimed all-GPAC second-team honors.

2013…played in six games…had 48 tackles—27 of them solo stops...had a season high 12 tackles against Nebraska Wesleyan on October 19…was a Pizza Ranch defensive player of the week once and special teams player of the week once.

Before Dordt…went to Mansfield Timberview High School (Texas)…earned second-team all-district honors in 2010…was a first-team all-district pick in 2011…earned second-team academic all-state honors… helped Timberview to a 12-3 record and a berth in the Texas 5A semifinal berth.

45

Till Strobel

6-2

200

FR

Germany

Before Dordt…competed for the Sacristans Freiburg football team…totaled 14 sacks with four forced fumbles and one interception…was a part of an All-State Champion team in 2016 in the second league and earned Best Work Ethic Award in 2015.

Before Dordt… was an all-Heartland Super Squad and all-state honorable mention pick while at Nebraska Christian High School and claimed all-district honors.

47

Nic Byl

6-1

220

Linebacker

SO

Sioux Center, Iowa

2015…played in five games and had five tackles.

Before Dordt…earned all-district honors at Unity Christian (Iowa)…had 46 solo tackles with 42 assisted stops in 2014…had 12 tackles for loss with three quarterback sacks and one interception.

48

Jeff Paepke

5-11

230

Kicker

SO

Brookfield, Wisconsin

2015…played in ten games.

Before Dordt…had 55 tackles in 2014 while playing for Milwaukee Lutheran (Wisconsin)…earned second-team all-conference honors for his placekicking and was an honorable mention all-conference pick at linebacker.

49

Jacob Vander Wilt

6-2

180

Wide Receiver

FR

Hospers, Iowa

Before Dordt…graduated from Unity Christian High School (Iowa)…had 347 receiving yards for four touchdowns and recorded 14.5 tackles with an interception and a forced fumble on defense…he claimed first-team all-district honors at wide receiver and served as Unity’s team captain.

50

Ethan Kovatch

6-1

250

Offensive Line

SR

Melissa, Texas

2015…saw time in six games.

2013…played in four games for the Defenders.

Before Dordt…attended McKinney Christian Academy (Texas)…played offensive and defensive line at McKinney Christian…earned first-team all-district honors on offense and second team all-district on defense.

51

Austin Rees

5-10

225

Linebacker

FR

Merced, California

Before Dordt…graduated from Stone Ridge Christian High School (California…was in on 207 tackles last season with three interceptions and was picked as a first-team all-league performer at both linebacker and fullback…helped Stone Ridge Christian to back to back league championships in 2014 and 2015 and a state record for most consecutive shutouts.

52

Rickey Nelson

6-0

270

Offensive Line

JR

Lancaster, Texas

2015…played in 10 games.

2014…appeared in seven games for the Defenders on the offensive line.

Before Dordt…started 26 games over a two year period for Lancaster High School (Texas) and helped Lancaster to a 2012 record of 14-2 and a berth in the state finals…was a team captain in 2013 and earned second-team all-district honors in 2012.

53

Scott Creighton

5-10

190

Linebacker

FR

Fort Collins, Colorado

Before Dordt…attended Rocky Mountain High School (Colorado)…had 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and 25 solo tackles for the Lobos.

54

Glen Thompson

6-4

225

Defensive Line

SR

Colorado Springs, Colorado

2015…played in nine games,

2014…played in seven games and was Dordt’s long snapper.

2013…played in five games and had three tackles.

Before Dordt… earned all-area honors in 2012 and first-team all-conference honors along with academic all-state accolades while at Vista Ridge High School (Colorado)…had 42 tackles, three fumble recoveries and 1.5 sacks and helped Vista Ridge advance to the 2012 Class 4A state quarterfinals.

55

Benjamin Freer

5-11

185

Linebacker

FR

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Before Dordt…played for Colorado Springs Christian School (Colorado)…earned a first-team all-conference honor along with honorable mention all-area and all-state accolades…totaled 29 tackles last season with eight for loss and he had 1.5 quarterback sacks…helped Colorado Springs Christian to a state playoff berth this season.

56

Jeshua Witt

6-1

190

Defensive Back

FR

Orange City, Iowa

Before Dordt…graduated from Unity Christian High School (Iowa)…recorded 22.5 tackles last season with one interception and forced a fumble for Unity.

57

Daniel Brown

6-1

220

Linebacker

JR

Big Rock, Illinois

2015…played in 11 games and had 14 solo tackles with five assisted stops…had three tackles for loss.

2014…had seven tackles and played in seven games…was in on a pair of stops against Nebraska Wesleyan on October 18.

Before Dordt… played at Aurora Christian (Illinois) and helped win a state championship in 2011 and 2012 and earned a state semifinal berth in 2013…totaled 81 tackles in 2013 and had 15 tackles for loss with two interceptions.

58

Travis Hooker

5-9

195

Linebacker

FR

Chowchilla, California

Before Dordt…attended Stone Ridge Christian High School (California)…was a part of a 2015 California State Championship team and back to back sectional championships in 2014 and 2015…earned CCAA honorable mention honors at linebacker and helped Stone Ridge Christian to a state record ten straight shutouts.

59

Justin Urquidez

6-1

275

Offensive Line

FR

El Monte, California

No details available.

60

Robert Adams

6-4

235

Offensive Line

SO

Little Elm, Texas

Before Dordt…played for Frisco Lone Star (Texas)…was part of bi-district and area championship teams.

61

Seth Lanzel

6-4

240

Defensive Line

FR

Gilbert, Arizona

Before Dordt…played at Gilbert Christian School (Arizona)… garnered first-team all-section honors at center and defensive tackle and all-state honors at center…was a part of two section championship teams at Gilbert Christian.

62

Jacob Pottebaum

6-1

260

Offensive Line

SO

Sioux Center, Iowa

Before Dordt…had 10 solo tackles with five assisted stops while playing for Sioux Center (Iowa)…had a pair of quarterback sacks while helping Sioux Center to a state runner-up finish.

63

Shayne Imre

5-10

265

Offensive Line

FR

Big Lake, Minnesota

Before Dordt…graduated from Big Lake High School (Minnesota)…was a two-year starter for Big Lake and played center on offense and defensive tackle…totaled 45 tackles in 17 career games…earned a pair of letters and was a Mississippi 8 all-conference honorable mention honoree and served as his team’s captain in 2015.

64

Eber White

6-1

240

Offensive Line

FR

Cedar Falls, Iowa

Before Dordt…attended Valley Lutheran School (Iowa) where he lettered in football three times and basketball four times…was an all-Metro pick in football.

65

Chris Fried-Ochoa

5-11

285

Offensive Line

JR

Idaho Falls, Idaho

2015…played in eight games.

Before Dordt… graduated Idaho Falls High School (Idaho)…earned honorable mention all-District 5-6 honors in 2013 and took the High Country Conference All Academic award in 2012 and 2013.

66

Bryce Van Maanen

6-1

185

Defensive Line

SR

Rock Valley, Iowa

Before Dordt...played at Western Christian High School (Iowa).

67

William Vander Woude

5-11

250

Offensive Line

FR

Merced, California

Before Dordt…played for Stone Ridge Christian high School (California)…earned first-team all-league honors in 2013 and 2014 and was a second-team selection in 2015…earned the “Tip of the Spear” award as his team’s best lineman from 2013-15…helped his team to a Section D VII Championship in 2014 and 2015 and a Nor-Cal State Runner-Up finish.

69

Drake Granstra

6-0

190

Linebacker

FR

Sheldon, Iowa

Before Dordt…graduated from Western Christian High School (Iowa)…finished his senior season by claiming all-district second-team honors. He was in on 57 solo tackles and had 20.5 assisted stops with four sacks and three fumble recoveries…ran for 102 yards on 28 attempts and scored four rushing touchdowns...caught four passes for 34 yards and two scores…helped Western to a district title and a 2015 Class 1A State Runner-up finish.

70

Jordan Baldwin

5-10

165

Running Back

FR

Airdrie, Alberta

No details available.

71

Nathan Tworek

5-9

210

Defensive Line

FR

Columbus, Nebraska

Before Dordt…attended Scotus Central Catholic High School (Nebraska)…earned Class B All-State honorable mention on defense while also claiming honorable mention at the conference and district level…claimed first place in the Class B Power Lifting Championship and was a three-time letter winner in football…was a member of district champions in 2014 and 2015 and Scotus also won the C1 State Championship.

72

Griffin Pelot

5-10

270

Offensive Line

JR

Escondido, California

2015…played in four games.

2014…played in four games.

Before Dordt…was a three time all-academic selection in two sports and earned second-team all-Avocado East honors at Escondido High School (California)...was nominated for and played in the San Diego All-Star Football Game.

73

Holden Hooyer

6-6

230

Offensive Line

FR

Pella, Iowa

Before Dordt…graduated from Pella Christian (Iowa)…played left tackle on the offensive line for the Eagles and earned first-team all-district honors last season while claiming academic all-district honors for a second time…served as his team’s captain as Pella Christian advanced to the second round of the state playoffs in 2015…earned all-district honorable mention in 2014.

74

Alex Watson

6-0

285

Defensive Line

SO

Grand Prairie, Texas

2015…played in four games.

Before Dordt… graduated from Temple Christian School (Texas…played tight end and defensive end during his high school career and had ten catches during his senior season for 96 yards and two touchdowns…accounted for 51 tackles—18 of them for loss and he had five sacks…two-time all-district second-team pick as both a tight end and defensive end and an academic all-state honoree.

75

Jacob Cook

6-0

305

Offensive Line

JR

Council Bluffs, Iowa

2015… earned second-team all-GPAC honors…played in 10 games for the Defenders.

2014…played in nine games for the Defenders on the offensive line.

Before Dordt… earned first-team all-city honors and second team all-district honors while also claiming second team all-Western Iowa honors for his offensive line play at Council Bluffs Lewis Central (Iowa)…was a three-year starter and helped Lewis Central to back to back playoff appearances in Class 3A...played defensive line and had 28 total tackles and three tackles for loss.

76

Matt Sanders

5-9

250

Defensive End

FR

United Kingdom

No details available.

77

Devin Eekhoff

6-3

255

Offensive Line

SO

New Era, Michigan

2015…played in eight games.

Before Dordt…was named offensive line mvp for Western Michigan Christian…earned all-conference and all-area honors.

78

Aaron Alegria

5-11

320

Offensive Line

JR

Baytown, Texas

2015…played in seven games.

2014…played in a pair of games.

Before Dordt…earned all-district first-team honors and was an academic all-district honoree at Barbers Hill High School (Texas)…helped his team to a 2012 bi-district championship…was named the Kenneth Skidmore Courage Award winner.

79

Ben Buma

6-4

295

Offensive Line

SR

Olympia, Washington

2015…earned all-GPAC honorable mention honors…played in eight games on the offensive line.

2014…played in nine games for the Defenders on the offensive line.

2013…played regularly for the Defenders on the offensive line…was the Pizza Ranch offensive player of the week once.

Before Dordt…attended Capital High School (Washington) where he played on the offensive and defensive line…earned all-conference honors as a senior and was named all-area as well…earned second-team all-league honors as a junior and helped Capital to the state semifinals twice.

80

Jason Miller

6-1

185

Wide Receiver

SR

Byron Center, Michigan

2015…caught seven passes against Concordia on October 3 which is the third highest single game total in program history…his 95 yards in that game are the sixth most in school history…returned a punt 40 yards in the Concordia game…his 57 career receptions rank third all-time…31 receptions ranks second all-time…played in 11 games.

2014…made 26 pass catches in 10 games played…scored two touchdowns and had 410 receiving yards…led the team in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns…caught five passes for 171 yards against Nebraska Wesleyan on October 18 and had an 82 yard pass catch….claimed all-GPAC Honorable Mention.

2013…played in six games.

Before Dordt… graduated South Christian (Michigan) High School…had 80 catches and nine touchdown snags last season…earned all-conference honors while helping South Christian to a Division 4 State Championship.

81

Jake Dodge

6-3

215

Wide Receiver

FR

Milford, Iowa

Before Dordt…graduated from Okoboji High School (Iowa)…played wide receiver, cornerback, kicker and punter for the Pioneers during his high school career…earned second-team all-state honors as a kicker and was twice named first-team all-district…was his team’s offensive mvp and was the “All In” team award winner twice…caught 36 passes for 444 yards and one touchdown and made 21 solo tackles on defense with an interception…converted on 18-22 point after attempts had a 34.6 yards per punt average on 29 attempts with a long of 74…longest field goal conversion was 43 yards.

82

Josh Van Groningen

6-4

200

Wide Receiver

SR

Ripon, California

2015…played in ten games…caught a pass against Doane for 11 yards.

2014…played in five games…caught two passes for 15 yards.

Before Dordt…graduated Ripon Christian (California) in 2012 where he was a mult-sport athlete…was originally a part of the Dordt basketball program…caught 18 passes during his senior season for 408 yards and two touchdowns.

83

Dillon Stevens

6-3

255

Tight End

JR

Greenville, Texas

2015…played in nine games.

2014…played in nine games on the offensive line for the Defenders.

Before Dordt…played a variety of positions for Greenville High School (Texas) including tackle and center…handled the long snapping chores and was a first-team all-district performer in 2012 and 2013.

84

Spencer Hower

5-11

175

Wide Receiver

FR

Ripon, California

Before Dordt…played for Ripon Christian High School (California)…caught 52 passes for 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns over the course of his career…was a first-team all-league receiver as a junior and senior and earned second-team honors at defensive back last season as well…helped his team to a league championship in 2014 and a sectional semifinal berth…Ripon Christian was a section title runner-up and was runner-up in its league.

85

Ben Bajema

6-5

240

Defensive Line

JR

Plano, Texas

2015…played in ten games…totaled 29 solo tackles and eight assisted stops…was in on eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks…

2014…played in 11 games mostly at defensive end…had 14 solo tackles and 16 assisted stops and 3.0 quarterback sacks…had 5.5 tackles for loss…recorded a team high six tackles against Concordia on October 4.

Before Dordt… earned first-team all-district honors multiple times and was chosen to participate in the Tom Hillary DFW All-Star game while prepping at McKinney Christian Academy (Texas)…was a member of a state champion 4 x 200 meter relay team as a junior and also qualified for the state meet in the discus…plans to compete on the Dordt track and field team in the spring…earned Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) 3A Academic All-State Awards in Football, Wrestling and Track.

86

Levi Niesen

5-11

175

Wide Receiver

FR

Olympia, Illinois

Before Dordt…played for Olympia (Illinois)…caught passes for more than 500 yards in 2015 and ran for over 300 yards…scored nine touchdowns and earned all-conference honorable mention honors from the Cornbelt Conference…twice earned letters in football and also earned a varsity letter in track and field in 2014…helped Olympia to a Class 4A football playoff appearance.

87

Van Shibley

6-4

225

Tight End

SO

Los Alamitos, California

No details available.

88

Evin Dickerson

6-2

165

Wide Receiver

FR

Silver Spring, Maryland

No details available.

89

Ben Hayes

6-1

225

Tight End

SO

Idaho Falls, Idaho

2015…played in six games for the Defenders.

Before Dordt…earned all-conference honors in 2014 while playing for Watersprings (Idaho)…caught passes for 444 yards and six touchdowns at tight end and made 70 tackles at defensive end…also punted for Watersprings.

90

Jordan Eisenga

6-1

210

Defensive Back

SO

McBain, Michigan

No details available.

91

Donald Bertagnolli

6-4

250

Punter

SO

Rocky Mountain House, Alberta

Before Dordt…averaged 40 yards per punt and hit 90 percent of his field goals attempted… participated for three Lion’s Bowl winning teams while at West Central High School (Alberta)…also played offensive and defensive line.

92

Tebi Njilefack

6-2

260

Defensive Line

SO

Cypress, Texas

2015…earned all-GPAC honorable mention honors…five sacks ranks third all-time and he had two sacks against Dakota State on September 5…played in eight games and had eight solo tackles and two assisted stops.

Before Dordt…played for Cy-Fair (Texas)…earned first-team all-academic honors…helped Cy-Fair to regional, area, bi-district and district titles.

93

De'Areon Willis

5-9

280

Linebacker

FR

Hanford, California

No details available.

94

Courtland King

6-1

275

Defensive Line

SO

Grand Prairie, Texas

2015…played in five games.

Before Dordt…helped Temple Christian (Texas) to back to back district championships in 2013 and 2014…earned all-district honors for his play on the offensive and defensive line…averaged five tackles for game.

95

Tyson Dahlgrin

6-2

210

Defensive Line

FR

Harrisburg, Nebraska

No details available.

96

Lucas Baken

5-10

175

Wide Receiver

FR

Durango, Colorado

Before Dordt…graduated from Durango High School (Colorado)…caught 46 passes for 810 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior…helped Durango to a 10-2 record and a first round playoff win….was a second-team all-state honoree in 2015 and was a first-team all-conference selection.

97

Robert McKee IV

6-0

230

Defensive Line

FR

Merced, California

Before Dordt…graduated from Stone Ridge Christian High School (California)…earned all-league honors for his offensive line play in 2015 and was a second-team selection in 2013 and 2014…helped his team to a Section D VII Championship in 2014 and 2015 and a Nor-Cal State Runner-Up finish.